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Brewer Water Department proposes 3% rate increase at public hearing; customers can petition MPUC
Summary
At a June 2 public hearing Brewer Water Department Superintendent Rodney Butler outlined a proposal to raise most water rates by 3% effective Aug. 1, 2026; the filing seeks roughly $110,882 in additional annual revenue and explains petition rights and MPUC procedures.
The Brewer Water Department filed a proposed rate adjustment with the Maine Public Utilities Commission under 35-A M.R.S.A. §6104 and presented the proposal at a June 2 public hearing before the Brewer City Council. Superintendent Rodney Butler told the council the department’s strategy is to prioritize critical infrastructure renewal while balancing short-term and long-term costs for ratepayers.
The department’s filing proposes a 3% increase for all rate classes except metered usage over 15,000 cubic feet per quarter, which would rise 14% and affect about 37 customers (approximately 1% of customers). The filing would eliminate an over-90,000-cubic-feet-per-quarter rate class affecting two customers and increase those volumes by 46%. The projected revenue increase is approximately $110,882 annually. The notice states the minimum residential bill would increase $0.99 per month (resulting in a quarterly charge of $101.74) and the average residential bill would increase $1.24 per month (quarterly $127.49). The water-rate changes are proposed to become effective Aug. 1, 2026, subject to MPUC review.
A member of the public asked whether Brewer offers special irrigation meters so garden use is not charged as sewer flow; Superintendent Butler said that question was outside his area of expertise and noted the city previously ended a submeter program for regulatory and cost reasons. The water-rate notice explains customers’ rights to review supporting materials at the Water Department office and to petition the MPUC; a valid petition under 35-A M.R.S.A. §6104 requires signatures of at least 550 Brewer Water Department customers within 30 days of the public hearing.
Mayor Jenn M. Morin praised the Water Department’s stewardship during the meeting. The council approved the Water Department and WPCF budgets as part of its broader FY2027 budget actions; the formal rate change will proceed through MPUC review and any customer petitions filed under statute.
